[nb-NO]Object number[nb-NO]
81/47
[nb-NO]Creator[nb-NO]
[nb-NO]Description[nb-NO]
Singer Elasticator sewing machine, model number 147-29 and serial/production number 38467. This is an industrial sewing machine. Part of the Barnett Collection (81/25-81/143) which illustrates the history of the sewing machine. Nothing is known about the history of this specific machine.
[nb-NO]Physical description[nb-NO]
1 sewing machine: metal
[nb-NO]Archival history[nb-NO]
MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Institute of Agricultural History) – 'Standard museum name: Sewing machine // Accession number: 81/47 // Classification: // Negative number: // Acquisition method: // Acquired from, date: Barnett Collection // Store: // Condition: // Recorder, date: DJE, 22.7.81 // Description: Singer sewing machine 147-29 // Dimensions: // Associated information: Spare parts for this appear in Singer Industrial Products Catalogue 1973-74. // References: Barnett Catalogue No. 74.', Citation in publication [E.J. Barnett, ‘Sewing machines: a catalogue of the Barnett collection’ ([Reading]: University of Reading, 1982] – ’74 // Singer 147 Elasticator // This is for fixing elastic to bathing trunks and similar articles and the very strong puller feed at the read of the machine keeps the elastic taut while it is being sewn, otherwise the thread would break when the elastic is stretched.’ (pp.55), Barnett Collection Review (2011) - 'This industrial machine was made by the manufacturers Singer. It features the model number '147-29' and a production/serial number: '38467'., MERL Miscellaneous note - The sewing machine was arguably the first internationally mass marketed consumer good, and the Singer Manufacturing Company was predominantly responsible for this. Founded by travelling showman Isaac Singer in 1851, the American company flourished not because of its technical expertise but due to its innovative advertising and purchasing options. Notably, it invented hire purchase and part exchange. Its factory in Clydebank, Scotland, was one of the largest in the world, and produced machines not only for the UK but also globally. By 1912, 90% of sewing machines purchased outside the USA were Singer machines. Singer was the seventh largest company in the world at this time. [Added by Tim Jerrome for the Barnett project, 2022], MERL Miscellaneous Note - From TR BNT P2/B344: Singer class 147 machines were quiet and smooth due to a counter-balanced arm rotary shaft with ball bearings. The class was highly versatile, with other 147 machines sewing gloves and shoes, automobile trim, and medium weight cloth and leather.
[nb-NO]Date[nb-NO]
1950 - 1974
[nb-NO]Object name[nb-NO]
[nb-NO]Material[nb-NO]
[nb-NO]Dimensions[nb-NO]
- Length 483 mm
- Width 270 mm
- Height 370 mm